1917 E135 Collins-McCarthy #147 Babe Ruth Blank Back PSA GOOD+ 2.5

Sold For:

$174,000

Year:

1917

Auction:

2025 Spring

Lot #:

4

Category:

Prewar Baseball Cards (1900-1941)

Graded GOOD+ 2.5 by PSA. Presented is a superb E135 Collins-McCarthy card of Babe Ruth, one of his most significant, rarest, and in our opinion, most overlooked cards. We think the reason this card doesn't get the attention it deserves is simply because it is so rare. This is one of the premier early Ruth cards and one of the very few dating from the beginning of his legendary career picturing him as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Examples of Ruth, the key card to the set, are seen very infrequently. This is one of the finest examples we have ever offered from this series! This outstanding example was recently discovered in 2021, selling at public auction for a record-setting $235,000. This card was found literally tucked within the pages of a woman's scrapbook book from the 1917 era! The card had been protected for decades from all elements, perfectly preserved within the confines of the book. This explains how this card happened to have survived in such extraordinary condition. This card is a blazer! 1917 Collins-McCarthy candy cards are one of the few major card issues dating from the mid-teens. They are somewhat similar in design to the popular M101-4/5 Sporting News cards, are from the same general era, and also have 200 cards in the set, so they are somehow overshadowed by the M101-4/5 issues. E135 Collins-McCarthy cards, however, are considerably rarer and were never issued as complete sets to the public. They are usually encountered only in small groups and usually in low grade. They were also produced on a slightly thinner stock (compared to M101-4/5) that is far more susceptible to wear and with a very glossy surface, which is very prone to creasing. Cards from the E135 series were printed with advertising for Collins-McCarthy as well as with blank backs, as offered here. According to advanced collectors, the blank-back cards are considerably scarcer than those with printed advertising backs. In fact, PSA has encapsulated only three examples (including the offered) of Ruth with a blank-back to date (in comparison to seventeen with advertising backs). This well-centered example is bright and crisp with outstanding picture quality and light corner wear. Downgraded due to scattered light surface wrinkles along the lower portion of the card. It is interesting to note the image on this card is the same used on Ruth's 1921 E121 American Caramel candy card. Recent auction results have signaled a tremendous increase in demand (and prices realized) for all items related to Ruth, and the offered card is one near the top of any list of important items around which to build a collection. This is an outstanding example of one of Babe Ruth’s most elusive cards dating from very early in his career. Awarded an MBA Gold Diamond by Mike Baker Authenticated for high-end eye appeal. A corresponding MBA sticker is affixed to the front of the holder.